Method and apparatus for improving usability and accuracy for physiological measurement on mobile device

ABSTRACT

An accessory is provided for a mobile device to measure characteristics of a test strip. The accessory includes a test strip adapter and a phone adapter. The test strip adapter includes a sheath and a first interlock. The phone adapter inclues a second interlock, wherein the first interlock is configured to frictionally lock to the second interlock.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application under 35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/739,157 filed Dec. 21, 2017, whichis a U.S. national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of InternationalApplication No. PCT/CN2016/098971, filed Sep. 14, 2016, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/219,383 filed Sep. 16,2015, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/245,623, filed Oct. 23,2015. The aforementioned International Application and U.S. Applicationsare incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to methods and systems foroptochemistry-based in-vitro diagnosis devices.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, in-vitro diagnosis (IVD) devices, especially bloodglucose meters, have gained wide adoption among patients with chronicdiseases. In order to take measurements, patients usually have to carrystandalone IVD devices with them all day long. From time to time,patients forget to carry their IVD devices and are not able to monitortheir health status in a timely manner.

For typical IVD measurements, test strips consisting enzyme and reagentare used. Upon receiving the sample fluid, the test strip'scharacteristics, such as electrical impedance or color, change accordingto the concentration of the targeted analyte, such as blood glucose orblood cholesterol.

Optochemistry-based IVD systems usually comprises test strips thatchange color according to the concentration of analyte received,specific light sources that illuminate on strips, optical sensors thatdetect scattering light, and light-isolating cases.

SUMMARY

In examples of the present disclosure, an accessory is provided for amobile device to measure characteristics of a test strip. The accessoryincludes a test strip adapter, a phone adapter, and a coupler. The teststrip adapter includes a test strip attachment for a test strip type anda first interlock shared with other test strip adapters for other teststrip types. The phone adapter includes a phone attachment for a mobiledevice model and a second interlock shared with other phone adapters forother mobile device models. The coupler includes a third interlock thatforms a first mating pair with the first interlock of the test stripadapter, and a fourth interlock that forms a second mating pair with thesecond interlock of the phone adapter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawingsdepict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure andare therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosurewill be described with additional specificity and detail through use ofthe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a mobile device accessory in examples of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show the details of a phone adapter of FIG. 1 inexamples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5-1 shows the details of a test strip device of FIG. 1 in examplesof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5-2 and 5-3 show the details of a test strip adapter compatiblewith the phone adapter of FIG. 1 from different angles in examples ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a phone adapter compatible with the test strip device ofFIG. 1 in examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a phone adapter compatible with the test strip device ofFIG. 1 in examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a mobile device accessory in examples of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 shows the details of a coupler of FIG. 8 in examples of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows the details of a test strip adapter of FIG. 8 in examplesof the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows a code card of FIG. 8 in examples of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 shows the details of a lid for the coupler of FIG. 8 in examplesof the present disclosure.

FIG. 13-1 shows a mobile device accessory in examples of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 13-2 shows a cover of FIG. 13-1 in examples of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 14-1 and 14-2 show a test strip adapter compatible with a couplerof FIG. 13 from different angles in examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 shows a mobile device accessory in examples of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 16-1 and 16-2 show the details of a test strip adapter of FIG. 15from different angles in examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16-3 shows the details of a test strip adapter compatible with thecoupler of FIG. 15 in examples of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 17-1 and 17-2 show the details of a coupler of FIG. 15 fromdifferent angles in examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 shows a mobile device case including a phone adapter for a teststrip in examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 shows an adhesive-backed phone adapter in examples of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 20, 21, and 22 show perspective, side, and top view of a lightguide in examples of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 23, 24, and 25 show perspective, side, and top view of anotherlight guide in examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 shows a mobile device accessory in examples of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 27 shows the details of a test strip of FIG. 26 in examples of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 28 shows the details of a phone adapter of FIG. 26 in examples ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “includes” means includes but not limited to,the term “including” means including but not limited to. The terms “a”and “an” are intended to denote at least one of a particular element.The term “based on” means based at least in part on. The term “or” isused to refer to a nonexclusive such that “A or B” includes “A but notB,” “B but not A,” and “A and B” unless otherwise indicated.

Today, most mobile devices include at least a display panel, which canserve as a light source for illumination. Besides, it also has at leastone image or light sensor that locate at the same side of the displaypanel.

In the present disclosure, a test strip or a test strip devicecontaining the test strip, along with the display panel and theimage/light sensor of mobile devices (e.g., smartphone or tablet), areused to measure physiological biochemical parameter(s). Software inmobile device will instruct a user to complete the measurementprocedure.

Positioning of the test strip or test strip device is important forgetting an accurate value. Examples of the present disclosure providemethods to improve the compatibility and position accuracy of testdevice to mobile device (mobile phone or tablet). For simply, a mobilephone 102 is used as an example but the present disclosure is equallyapplicable to a tablet or other mobile devices.

FIG. 1 shows an accessory 100 for a mobile device 102 (e.g., mobilephone) in some examples of the present disclosure. Using accessory 100and software, mobile phone 102 is able to measure a characteristic of atest strip and correlate the characteristic to health information.

Accessory 100 includes a phone adapter 104. Phone adapter 104 may be aremovable clip that slides on and secures to the top of mobile phone102. After clip 104 is secured to mobile phone 102, a test strip device112 is placed on the clip. Test strip device 112 may be a single-usetest strip carrier containing a test strip (as shown), a test stripadapter (described later) for a test strip, or a coupler (describelater) for joining clip 104 and the test strip adapter.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of clip 104 in some examples of thepresent disclosure. Clip 104 includes a faceplate 202 that defines areceiver slot 204. Faceplate defines a receiver slot 204 that receivesprotrusions or anchors that position test strip device 112 on thefaceplate. The anchors may be similar to anchors 513 of test stripdevice carrier 500-1 in FIG. 5-1. Faceplate 202 includes V-shapedcutouts 206 that allows receiver slot 204 to flex when test strip device112 is mounted or dismounted.

Faceplate 202 defines a camera window 208. When clip 104 is attached tomobile phone 102, camera window 208 exposes a camera 108 (FIG. 1) ofmobile phone 102 so the camera can take pictures. Camera window 208 mayinclude a lens. If faceplate 202 extends over a screen 110 (FIG. 1) ofmobile phone 102, the faceplate defines a screen opening 210 thatexposes a portion of the screen used as a light source.

To position test strip device 112 (FIG. 1) relative to clip 104 andmobile phone 102, faceplate 202 includes a guide 212. Guide 212 may be aframe that matches the footprint of test strip device 112. For example,guide 212 is a U-shaped frame with an open top end that receives teststrip device 112. Alternatively, frame 212 may have other shapes, suchas an L-shape.

FIG. 3 shows the interior of clip 104 in some examples of the presentdisclosure. The inner side surfaces of clip 104 have retention features302 (only one is visible) that press against the two sides of mobilephone 102 (FIG. 1). Retention features 302 may be protrusions arrangedlongitudinally along the insertion direction of mobile phone 102. Clip104 may define a groove that accommodates a button of mobile phone 102.

FIG. 4 shows clip 104 viewed from below in some examples of the presentdisclosure. Clip 104 includes faceplate 202, a backplate 402, and twosidewalls 404 joined to the sides of the faceplate and the backplate.Each sidewall 404 includes a U-shaped spring 406 that allows clip 104 toaccommodate a range of mobile phone thicknesses. Backplate 402 includesa protrusion 408 to accommodate a back-facing camera (not labeled) ofmobile phone 102 (FIG. 1). Although not visible, clip 104 includes aroof joined to the tops of faceplate 202 and backplate 402. Faceplate202, backplate 402, sidewalls 404, and the roof form a mechanicalattachment to mobile phone 102.

Clip 104 is a phone adapter for a particular phone model (e.g., iPhone6). Accordingly, clip 104 has certain dimensions and incorporatescertain elements to accommodate that particular phone model. At the sametime, guide 212 (FIG. 2) has common dimensions shared between phoneadapters for different mobile phone models so the phone adapters arecompatible with test strip device 112. Guide 212 may be standardized foruse by multiple vendors/manufacturers.

Test strip device 112 has certain dimensions and incorporates certainelements to accommodate a particular test strip type. At the same time,test strip device 112 has uniform dimensions shared between test stripdevices for different test strip types so the test strip devices arecompatible with clip 104.

FIG. 5-1 shows the assembly a single-use test strip carrier 500-1 insome examples of the present disclosure. Test strip carrier 500-1 is atest strip device 112 compatible with clip 104. A test strip 502 isplaced in and affixed to a carrier body 504 by adhesive or mechanicalattachment. Carrier body 504 defines a sample collector that transportsa physiological sample to test strip 502. A light guide 508 is placedover test strip 502 and fixed to carrier body 504 by adhesive ormechanical attachment. The bottom of light guide 508 includes an inputport 510-1 and a camera hole 512. The top of light guide 508 includes anoutput port 510-2 (FIG. 5-2) that is in communication with input port510-1 and camera hole 512. A carrier base 514 locks onto the open bottomof carrier body 504. Carrier base 514 defines a light hole 516 and acamera hole 518 over input port 510-1 and camera hole 512 of light guide508, respectively. Carrier base 514 includes anchors 513 that fits intoreceiver slot 204 (FIG. 2) on faceplate 202 (FIG. 2). A lancet 520 isinserted into a lancet opening in carrier body 504.

In operation, a user provides a sample on the sample collector, whichtransports the sample to test strip 502. Light guide 508 receives lightfrom screen 110 (FIG. 1) through light hole 516 and input port 510-1,and projects the light out through output port 510-2 (FIG. 5-2) on areaction area of test strip 510. Camera 108 (FIG. 1) captures an imageof the reaction area through camera hole 518, camera hole 512, andoutput port 510-2.

FIGS. 5-2 and 5-3 show an exploded view of a test strip adapter 500-2 inexamples of the present disclosure. Test strip carrier 500-2 is a teststrip device 112 compatible with clip 104. Test strip adapter 500-2includes a carrier cover 522, a carrier body 524, carrier base 518, andlight guide 508.

Light guide 508 is placed in and affixed to carrier body 524 by adhesiveor mechanical attachment, and carrier base 518 locks onto the openbottom of carrier body 524. As described before, carrier base 518includes anchors 513 and defines light hole 516 and camera hole 518 overinput port 510-1 (FIG. 5-1) and camera hole 512 (FIG. 5-1) of lightguide 508, respectively.

Carrier body 524 has a top with guides 526 and defines a test stripopening 528. Guides 526 define a slot dimensioned to receive test strip510. Carrier body 524 includes additional an additional guide 527 forcompatibility with another test strip type. Test strip opening 528 islocated within the space defined by guides 526 and over output port510-2 of light guide 508.

In operation, a user provides a sample on test strip 510, insert thetest strip into the slot defined by guide posts 526 and over test stripopening 528, and places carrier cover 522 onto carrier body 524 to blockout ambient light. Light guide 508 receives light from screen 110(FIG. 1) through light hole 516 and input port 510-1 (FIG. 5-1), andprojects the light out through output port 510-2 and test strip opening528 on a reaction area of test strip 510. Camera 108 (FIG. 1) capturesan image of the reaction area through camera hole 518, camera hole 512(FIG. 5-1), output port 510-2, and test strip opening 528.

FIG. 6 shows a phone adapter 600 in some examples of the presentdisclosure. Phone adapter 600 is a removable clip similar to clip 104(FIG. 1) but for a different phone model 602 (e.g., Galaxy S6). Clip 600includes a camera window 604, a screen window 606, and a guide 608located toward the side of the clip to match the location of the cameraon this particular phone model. Clip 600 also includes an anchor slot610 for receiving anchors on a test strip device, and cutouts 612 thatallows anchor slots 610 to flex. Clip 600 may otherwise be similar toclip 104.

FIG. 7 shows a phone adapter 700 in some examples of the presentdisclosure. Phone adapter 700 is a removable clip similar to clip 104(FIG. 1). Clip 700 includes a faceplate 702 and spring clips 704 thatextend down from the top and the two sides of the faceplate to clamponto the top end of mobile phone 102 (FIG. 1). Spring clips 704 form amechanical attachment to mobile phone 102. Instead of spring clips 704,clip 700 may include sidewalls, a backplate, and a roof like clip 104.

Faceplate 702 includes a guide 706. Guide 706 may be an interlock thatforms a mating pair with a corresponding an interlock on test stripdevice 112 (FIG. 1). For example, interlock 706 consists of slots orrails, and the counterpart interlock on test strip device 112 consistsof tabs or way that slide in slots or rails 712. Each slot 712 includesa retention feature 714 that engages a counterpart retention feature ona corresponding tab on test strip device 112. For example, retentionfeature 714 is a detent catch or detent notch. Clip 700 may be similarto clip 104 in other manners.

FIG. 8 shows the assembly of an accessory 800 for mobile phone 102 insome examples of the present disclosure. Using accessory 800 andsoftware, mobile phone 102 is able to measure a characteristic of a teststrip and correlate the characteristic to health information.

Accessory 800 includes a phone adapter 802, a coupler 804, and a teststrip adapter 806 in some examples of the present disclosure. Phoneadapter 802 is configured for a particular phone model, test stripadapter 806 is configured for a particular test strip type, and coupler804 provides a common interface between the phone adapter and the teststrip adapter so phone adapters for different phone models may be usedwith test strip adapters for different test strip types. The couplerinterface may be standardized for use by multiple vendors/manufacturers.Phone adapter 802 may be clip 700. As shown, clip 802 slides on andsecures to the top of mobile phone 102, coupler 804 slides on andsecures to the clip, and test strip adapter 806 mounts on the coupler. Atest strip 808 and a code card 810 insert into slots in test stripadapter 806.

FIG. 9 shows the assembly of coupler 804 in some examples of the presentdisclosure. Coupler 804 includes a coupler body 902, a light guide 910,and a lid 914.

Coupler body 902 has a base 904 that defines a camera window 906 and ascreen window 908. When coupler 804 is mounted on clip 802, camerawindow 906 is located over camera window 208 (FIG. 2) and camera 108(FIG. 1), and screen window 908 is located over screen opening 210 (FIG.2) and a portion of screen 110 (FIG. 1).

Light guide 910 is seated in and affixed to coupler body 902 by adhesiveor mechanical attachment. Light guide 910 defines a hole, a space, or acombination of a hole and a space over camera window 906 of coupler body902.

Lid 914 locks onto the open top of coupler body 902 to form a casing.Lid 914 defines a test strip opening 916 over hole or space 912 of lightguide 910.

FIG. 10 shows the assembly of test strip adapter 806 in some examples ofthe present disclosure. Test strip adapter 806 is a cover that has acover body 1000 defining a test strip opening 1002. Cover body 1000includes tracks 1004 along the two sides of test strip opening 1002.Cover 806 includes a sliding door 1006 having tabs 1008 that fit intracks 1004 to allow it to slide between open and closed positions. Whensliding door 1006 is open, a user can place a sample on test strip 808located just below test strip opening 1002.

FIG. 11 shows code card 810 in some examples of the present disclosure.Code card 810 includes a code label 1102 and a label adapter 1104defining a depression 1105 for seating the label. Label adapter 1104includes retention features 1106 that lock onto counterpart retentionfeatures on the sides of the code card slot in cover 806 (FIG. 8).

FIG. 12 shows the backside of lid 914 in examples of the presentdisclosure. The backside of lid 914 defines a frame 1202 adjacent totest strip opening 916 for affixing a temperature detection card 1206.

FIGS. 13-1 and 13-2 show the assembly of an accessory 1300 for mobilephone 102 in some examples of the present disclosure. Using accessory1300 and software, mobile phone 102 is able to measure a characteristicof a test strip and correlate the characteristic to health information.

Accessory 1300 includes a phone adapter 1302, a coupler 1304, and a teststrip adapter 1306 in some examples of the present disclosure. Phoneadapter 1302 is configured for a particular phone model, test stripadapter 1304 is configured for a particular test strip type, and coupler1304 provides a common interface between the phone adapter and the teststrip adapter.

Phone adapter 1302 is a removable clip similar to clip 700. As shown,clip 1302 slides on and secures to the top of mobile phone 102, coupler1304 slides on and secures to the clip, and test strip adapter 1306mounts on the coupler. Test strip adapter 1306 includes an adapter cover1308 and a test strip carrier 1310. Adapter cover 1308 has guides 1311that define a slot to receive test strip carrier 1310. Test stripcarrier 1310 includes a top half 1312 and a bottom half 1314. A teststrip 1316 is seated in and affixed to bottom half 1314 by adhesive ormechanical attachment, and top half 1312 locks onto the bottom half. Tophalf 1312 defines a sample collector 1318 to transport a sample to teststrip 1316. In some applications, a user deposits a sample in a tube1317 with a solution (e.g., a buffer), mixes them, and inserts the tubeinto sample collector 1318 to provide a mixed solution to test strip1316. Bottom half 1314 includes a test strip opening 1320 to view areaction area on test strip 1316.

FIGS. 14-1 and 14-2 show a test strip carrier 1400 that is compatiblewith cover 1308 in some examples of the present disclosure. Test stripcarrier 1400 is similar to test strip carrier 1310. Test strip carrier1400 includes a top half 1402 and a bottom half 1404. Two different teststrips 1406 and 1408 are seated in and affixed to bottom half 1404 byadhesive or mechanical attachment, and top half 1402 locks onto thebottom half. Top half 1402 defines a sample collector 1410 to transporta sample to test strips 1406 and 1408. Bottom half 1404 includes a teststrip opening 1412 to view reaction areas on test strips 1406 and 1408.

FIG. 15 shows the assembly of an accessory 1500 for mobile phone 102 insome examples of the present disclosure. Using accessory 1500 andsoftware, mobile phone 102 is able to measure a characteristic of a teststrip and correlate the characteristic to health information.

Accessory 1500 includes a phone adapter 1502, a coupler 1504, and a teststrip adapter 1506 in some examples of the present disclosure. Phoneadapter 1502 is configured for a particular phone model (e.g., iPhone 6from Apple), test strip adapter 1506 is configured for a particular teststrip type, and coupler 1304 provides a common interface between thephone adapter and the test strip adapter. Phone adapter 1502 may be clip700. As shown, clip 1502 slides on and secures to the top of mobilephone 102, coupler 1504 slides on and secures to the clip, test stripadapter 1506 mounts on a test strip 1508, and the test strip adapterslides on and secures to the coupler. Prior to mounting test stripadapter 1506 on test strip 1508, a user deposits a sample on the teststrip.

FIGS. 16-1 and 16-2 show an exploded view of test strip adapter 1506 insome examples of the present disclosure. Test strip adapter 1506includes a test strip cover 1602 and an adapter cap 1604. Test stripcover 1602 is a mechanical attachment to test strip 1508 of a particulartype. Test strip cover 1602 defines an opening dimensioned to receiveand locks to test strip 1508 by interference fit. Test strip cover 1602has a top that defines a sample hole 1608. Test strip cover 1602 hastabs 1606 along at least two sides. Tabs 1606 are interlocks shared withtest strip adapters for other test strip types so they are allcompatible with coupler 1504. Each tab 1606 has a retention feature1607, such as a detent notch or a detent catch. Adapter cap 1604 fits onand locks to the test strip cover 1602 via retention features (e.g.,snap-fit joints). Adapter cap 1604 has a top that defines a samplecollector 1610 in communication with sample hole 1608 and a sample port1612 on test strip 1508.

FIGS. 17-1 and 17-2 show an exploded view of coupler 1504 in someexamples of the present disclosure. Coupler 1504 is similar to coupler804 (FIG. 8). Coupler 1504 includes a coupler body 1702, a light guide1704, and a lid 1706. Coupler body 1702 has a base 1708 that defines acamera window 1710 and a screen window 1712. When coupler 1504 ismounted on clip 1502, camera window 1710 is located over camera window208 (FIG. 2) and camera 108 (FIG. 1), and screen window 908 is locatedover screen opening 210 (FIG. 2) and a portion of screen 110 (FIG. 1).Coupler body 1702 has an interlock 1711 on two lower lateral edges thatforms a mating pair with a corresponding interlock on clip 1502. Forexample, interlock 1711 consists of tabs or way, and the counterpartinterlock on clip 1502 consists of slots or rails (e.g., slots 706 onclip 700) that receive the tabs or way. Each tab 1711 may include aretention feature (e.g., a detent catch or detent notch) that engages acounterpart retention feature in a corresponding slot on phone adapter1502.

Light guide 1704 is seated in and affixed to coupler body 1702 byadhesive or mechanical attachment. Light guide 1704 has a space 1714 anda base that defines a hole 1713 over camera window 906 of coupler body1702. Lid 1706 locks onto the open top of coupler body 1702 to form acasing. Lid 1706 defines a test strip opening 1716 located over hole orspace 1714 of light guide 1704.

Lid 1706 has an interlock 1718 on two upper lateral edges that forms amating pair with a corresponding interlock of test strip adapter 1506.For example, interlock 1718 consists of slots or rails, and thecounterpart interlock on test strip adapter 1506 consists of tabs 1606or way. Each slot 1718 includes a retention feature 1720 that engages acounterpart retention feature in a corresponding tab 1606 of test stripadapter 1506. For example, retention feature 1720 is a detent catch ordetent notch.

FIG. 16-3 shows an exploded view of a test strip adapter 1620 in someexamples of the present disclosure. Test strip adapter 1620 iscompatible with coupler 1504 (FIG. 15). Test strip adapter 1620 includesa sheath 1622 and a cap 1624. Cap 1624 is a mechanical attachment to atest strip 1626 of a particular type. Cap 1624 defines a cavity 1627that is dimensioned to retain test strip 1626 by interference fit whenthe test strip inserts into the cap. Test strip 1626 is inserted intosheath 1622 and secured when cap 1624 locks onto the open end of thesheath. Prior to inserting test strip 1626 into sheath 1622, a userdeposits a sample on the test strip. The bottom of sheath 1622 defines atest strip opening 1628 to view test strip 1626. Sheath 1622 has tabs1630 along at least two sides. Tabs 1630 are interlocks shared with teststrip adapters for other test strip types so they are all compatiblewith coupler 1504. Each tab 1630 has a retention feature 1632, such as adetent notch or a detent catch.

FIG. 18 shows a mobile phone case 1800 in some examples of the presentdisclosure. Case 1800 includes an upper section 1802, a midsection 1804,and a lower section 1806. Upper section 1802 is implemented similar tothe removable clips described in the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 shows attaching an adhesive backed phone adapter 1902 to mobilephone 102 in some examples of the present disclosure. Phone adapter 1902is implemented similar to the faceplates described in the presentdisclosure. The backside of phone adapter 1902 includes an adhesive tape1903.

An alignment clip 1904 slides on and secures to the top of mobile phone102. Alignment clip 1904 defines a mounting space 1906 for phone adapter1902. The liner to adhesive tape 1903 on the back of phone adapter 1902is removed, thereby exposing an adhesive. Phone adapter 1902 is thenplaced in mounting space 1906. After phone adapter 1902 adheres tomobile phone 102, alignment clip 1904 is removed from the mobile phone.

FIGS. 20, 21, and 22 show various views of a light guide 2000 in someexamples of the present disclosure. Light guide 2000 may be used as thelight guides in the test strip carriers and the couplers described inthe present disclosure.

Light guide 2000 has a wedge portion 2002 and leg portions 2004separated by a space between them. Wedge portion 2002 has a horizontalinput surface 2006, an angled reflective surface 2008 above the inputsurface, and a vertical output surface 2010 opposite the reflectivesurface. Using total internal reflection, reflective surface 2008directs light from input surface 2006 to output surface 2010.

Leg portions 2004 extend laterally from output surface 2010 about thetop of the output surface opposite. Light enters leg portions 2004,reflects internally, and exit through the top of the leg portions toilluminate an area above the leg portions. Each leg portion 2004 hasdistal end with a 45° reflective surface 2014. Using total internalreflection, 45° reflective surfaces 2014 directs light out through thetop of leg portions 2004.

Angled reflective surface 2008 has a diffusive area 2012 about the topof the angled reflective surface. Diffusive area 2012 helps to scatterthe light as it enters leg portions 2004 so the light exits uniformlyfrom the top of leg portions 2004. Each leg portion 2004 includes adiffusive area 2016 on the top of the leg portion near output surface2010. Diffusive areas 2016 help to scatter the light as it exits thatpart of leg portions 2004 so the light uniformly illuminate a test stripabove the leg portions. A space 2018 is defined between leg portions2004 to view the test strip.

FIGS. 23, 24, and 25 show various views of a light guide 2300 in someexamples of the present disclosure. Light guide 2300 may be used as thelight guides described in the present disclosure.

Light guide 2300 includes a 45° reflective surface 2302, threereflective sidewall surfaces 2304 defining a space between them, and areflective base surface 2306. Reflective base surface 2306 defines aninput port 2307 that allows light to enter into light guide 2300 frombelow. Reflective base surface defines a camera window 2308.

FIG. 26 shows an accessory 2600 for a mobile device 102 (e.g., mobilephone) in some examples of the present disclosure. Using accessory 2600and software, mobile phone 102 is able to measure a characteristic of atest strip and correlate the characteristic to health information.Accessory 2600 includes a test strip adapter 2602 and a universal phoneadapter 2604.

Referring to FIG. 27, test strip adapter 2602 includes a sheath havingan upper part 2704 and a lower part 2706. A test strip 2708 is seatedand affixed to lower part 2706, and upper part 2704 locks onto the lowerpart. The bottom of lower part 2706 defines a test strip opening 2707 toview test strip 2708. Lower part 2706 has an insert 2712 that insertsinto and frictionally locks to a port 2808 (FIG. 28) of universal phoneadapter 2604 (FIG. 28).

Referring to FIG. 28, universal phone adapter 2604 includes an adapterbase 2802, a light guide 2804, and an adapter lid 2806. Adapter base2802 defines a light port 2810 that is located over a portion of screen110 (FIG. 1) of mobile phone 102. Adapter base 2802 also defines acamera hole 2812 over camera 108 (FIG. 1) of mobile phone 102. Adapterbase 2802 includes a universal clip 2814 to secure universal phoneadapter 2604 to the top end of mobile phone 102. Universal clip 2814 isdimensioned to fit over and secure to multiple mobile phone models.

Light guide 2804 may be one of the light guides described in the presentdisclosure. Light guide 2804 is seated in and affixed to adapter base2802. Adapter lid 2806 defines port 2808 that receives insert 2712 (FIG.27) of test strip adapter 2602 (FIG. 27). Adapter lid 2806 locks ontoadapter base 2802.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments ofthe present disclosure have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, and that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intendedto be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims.

We claim:
 1. A phone adapter in an accessory to a mobile device formeasuring characteristics of a test strip, the phone adapter comprising:a faceplate defining a camera opening to a camera of the mobile device;a phone attachment for a mobile device model; and a guide to a teststrip carrier, a test strip adapter, or a coupler to the test stripadapter.
 2. The phone adapter of claim 1, wherein the phone adapter is aportion of a mobile device case, the portion defining the cameraopening.
 3. The phone adapter of claim 1, wherein the phone adapter is aremovable clip comprising spring clips extending from three sides of thefaceplate.
 4. The phone adapter of claim 1, wherein the phone adapter isa cap or a portion of a case that fits a top end of the mobile device.5. The phone adapter of claim 1, wherein the faceplate has an adhesiveon the backside of the faceplate.
 6. The phone adapter of claim 1,wherein the guide comprises a frame on the faceplate that matches ashape of the test strip carrier or adapter.
 7. The phone adapter ofclaim 1, wherein the guide comprises an interlock shared with otherphone adapters for other mobile device models.
 8. The phone adapter ofclaim 7, wherein the test strip adapter or the coupler comprises anotherinterlock that forms a mating pair with the interlock of the phoneadapter.
 9. The phone adapter of claim 1, wherein the camera opening isconfigured to receive light transmitted from a portion of a screen ofthe mobile device.
 10. A test strip adapter for a test strip,comprising: a cap defining a cavity that is dimensioned to frictionallyretain the test strip; and a sheath comprising an interlock and defining(1) an open end to receive the cap and (2) a bottom opening to view thetest strip.
 11. A test strip adapter for a test strip, comprising: atest strip cover to fit onto and retain the test strip; and a cap to fitonto and retain the test strip cover, the cap comprising an interlock.12. An accessory for a mobile device to measure characteristics of atest strip, the accessory comprising: a test strip adapter comprising asheath and a first interlock; and a phone adapter comprising a secondinterlock, wherein the first interlock is configured to frictionallylock to the second interlock.
 13. The accessory of claim 12, wherein thesheath comprises an upper part and a lower part and is configured toreceive a test strip in any of the upper part and the lower part. 14.The accessory of claim 13, wherein one of the upper part and the lowerpart defines an opening to expose a portion of the test strip under alight transmitted from a portion of a screen of the mobile device. 15.The accessory of claim 12, wherein the first interlock is an insert. 16.The accessory of claim 12, wherein the phone adapter comprises: a base;a lid; and a light guide disposed between the base and the lid.
 17. Theaccessory of claim 16, wherein the base defines a light port locatedover a portion of a screen of the mobile device and a camera hole over acamera of the mobile device.
 18. The accessory of claim 17, wherein thelight port, the light guide, and the camera hole define a light path fora light transmitted from the mobile device through a light filter. 19.The accessory of claim 16, wherein the base comprises a fastener thatdimensionally fits over the mobile device to secure the phone adapter onthe mobile device.
 20. The accessory of claim 16, wherein the liddefines a port, and the port is the second interlock.
 21. The accessoryof claim 12, wherein the test strip adapter includes a cover, the coverdefining a slot to receive the test strip.